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French Undergraduate Courses

The course information posted below will always be kept in sync with the newest online catalog by the Office of University Relations, and each course includes a link to search for open sections in the Schedule of Classes.

Special course for candidates for advanced degrees in other departments. Fundamentals of grammar and reading of material of medium difficulty. Intended primarily for graduate students, but open also to seniors planning graduate study. Does not satisfy any part of the undergraduate language requirement. Presupposes no previous study of French. Conducted in English. LEC.

Essentials of French grammar; practice in speaking, reading, and writing French. Introduction to French business culture. Three hours of class per week. This course does not satisfy the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. LEC.

Essentials of French grammar; practice in speaking, reading, and writing French. Introduction to French business culture. Three hours of class per week. This course does not satisfy the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Prerequisite: FREN 107 or equivalent. LEC.

Essentials of French grammar; practice in speaking, reading, and writing French. Introduction to French business culture. Three hours of class per week. This course does not satisfy the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Prerequisite: FREN 108 or equivalent. LEC.

Introduction to French for special purposes; no previous French required. Provides basic familiarity with the French language, focusing on speaking, listening, reading and the essentials of French grammar. Introduction to the culture of the French-speaking world. Three class hours per week; may be delivered by videoconference or face-to-face. Does not satisfy any KU language requirement. Prerequisite: Instructor permission required. LEC.

Continuation of FREN 111. Further development of basic familiarity with the French language, focusing on speaking, listening, reading and the essentials of French grammar. Continued exploration of the culture of the French-speaking world. Three class hours per week; may be delivered by videoconference or face-to-face. Does not satisfy any KU language requirement. Prerequisite: FREN 111 or permission of instructor. LEC.

Continuation of FREN 112. Further development of basic familiarity with the French language, focusing on speaking, listening, reading and the essentials of French grammar. Continued exploration of the culture of the French-speaking world. Three class hours per week; may be delivered by videoconference or face-to-face. Does not satisfy any KU language requirement. Prerequisite: FREN 112 or permission of instructor. LEC.

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary survey of the treatment of the Other in French culture in different ages that may include vampires, zombies, fairy tales, villains and anti-heroes, the macabre, alien encounters, dystopias and utopias, and deviancy, with particular attention to literature, film and TV, and thought. Taught in English. Does not fulfill any requirement in the French major or minor. LEC.

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary survey of French culture that may include topics ranging from the earliest times to the present, with particular attention to literature, the arts, thought, politics, society, food, and customs. Taught in English. Does not fulfill any requirement in the French major or minor. LEC.

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary and critical survey of the French-speaking cultures outside France in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Will include a variety of cultural topics, with particular attention to, and critique of, French colonization, the effects of empire on indigenous cultures, and postcolonial interactions today between France and its former colonies and protectorates. Taught in English. Does not fulfill any requirement in the French major or minor. LEC.

A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in French. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of First-Year Experience. Prerequisite: First-time freshman status. LEC.

Third-semester course stressing oral and written work in French; systematic review of grammar and introduction to reading in cultural texts. (See also FREN 231, FREN 234.) Prerequisite: FREN 120 or by departmental permission. LEC.

Similar in approach and content to FREN 230; smaller class size; open to students who had done very good to excellent work in previous French classes. Prerequisite: Grade of B or A in FREN 120 or departmental permission. LEC.

Similar in approach and content to FREN 240; smaller class size; open to students who have done very good to excellent work in previous French classes. Prerequisite: A grade of A in FREN 230 or FREN 231, or departmental permission. LEC.

Supplementary non-major language course that can be a sequel to the first four semesters of French. Primarily for students studying abroad. Covers vocabulary study, oral exercises, discussion of texts, writing, and free conversation. Prerequisite: FREN 230/231 or FREN 234, FREN 240/241. LEC.

A study of French grammar, conversation, and composition, with selected aspects of French civilization. Available to participants in the Summer Language Institutes, and selected Study Abroad programs. LEC.

A study of French grammar, conversation, and composition, with selected aspects of French civilization. Available to participants in the Summer Language Institutes, and selected Study Abroad Programs. LEC.

Three meetings per week. Guided discussions designed to increase fluency, improve pronunciation, and knowledge of French culture and language. Classes have centered around topics such as the French Revolution, the Arts, Renaissance Festivals, and French cinema. Sections limited to twelve students. May be designated a KULAC class at the discretion of the instructor. Prerequisite: FREN 375. LEC.

An exploration of the French capital from its origins to present as emblem and icon of the social, literary, cultural, and political development of the French nation and of French ideals. Topics include great persons, events, works, symbols, and myths since the founding of the city to the present. Taught in English. Does not fulfill any requirement in the French major or minor. LEC.

Readings and discussions of representative great masterpieces of French literature from the medieval Arthurian romances and chansons de geste to the present, with particular emphasis on the question of the interrelations of form and content. Includes such authors as Rabelais, Montaigne, Racine, Moliere, Voltaire, Balzac, Flaubert, Baudelaire, Proust, Gide, Camus, and Beckett. Conducted in English. A reading knowledge of French is extremely useful but not a requirement. LEC.

Discussion of great masterpieces of French film from the silent era to the present, with a particular emphasis on how film portrays and conveys important aspects of French culture past and present. The works of a variety of film-makers may be covered, and may include among others Georges Melies, Jean Vigo, Jean Renoir, Abel Gance, Rene Clair, Marcel Carne, Jean Cocteau, Alain Resnais, Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut, Agnes Varda, Louis Malle, Eric Rohmer, and Claude Berri. Films will be shown in French with subtitles in English. Knowledge of French is useful, but not required. LEC.

Cultures of the some 235 million persons in the five world areas whose everyday and/or official language is French: Canada; Caribbean (e.g., Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique); Europe (e.g., Belgium, Switzerland); Africa and Indian Ocean (23 former French or Belgian colonies); Pacific (e.g., Tahiti, New Caledonia). Also French-speaking settlers in the United States (Louisiana, South Carolina, New England, Kansas). French presence in Indo-China and the Near East. Prerequisite: FREN 301 and FREN 326. (May be taken concurrently with FREN 301 and/or FREN 326.) LEC.

This course is an introduction of 20th Century African literature written in French, covering selected works by major authors from both sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb. Attention will be given primarily to the novel, although some poetry will also be read. Topics and themes include negritude, African identity in the wake of colonialism, Islam, and women's writing. Classes will be conducted in English. Students may read the texts in French or in translation. (Same as AAAS 432.) Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and a 200-level English course. LEC.

Discussion of great masterpieces of modern postcolonial Francophone and French global film, with a particular emphasis on how film portrays and conveys important aspects of the cultures of former French colonies and peoples in Quebec, the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia during and since independence, including immigrant populations in mainland France itself today. The works of a variety of French and indigenous film-makers and cultures will be covered. Prerequisite: FREN 301, FREN 302, and FREN 326. LEC.

The course will focus on one major city, or on a group of major cities, former French or Belgian colonies, where French language and Franco-European cultures are still major elements. Emphasis will be on how today's citizens live the cities in their great diversity; how the colonial and decolonial past of each city has affected it; how these cities' responses to globalization are represented through culture and cultural works. Texts, novels, films, print and electronic documents, and other course materials will be used to paint the daily lives, cultural values and challenges of contemporary Francophone global urban communities. Prerequisite: FREN 301, FREN 302, and FREN 326. LEC.

Representative topics are: History of Paris, Role of Women in French Literature and Culture, Interrelationships of the Arts, French-speaking African Culture, Culture of French Canada. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission; may also be repeated as part of major in French language and culture. Prerequisite: FREN 301 and FREN 326. LEC.

This course provides an overview of the historical development of the French language and an introduction to different varieties of French, as well as some current language-related issues in the French-speaking world. The history of the French language is considered both from an external perspective, by examining important historical events in the language's history, and from an internal perspective, by looking at specific ways the language has changed over time. Variation is examined: how French differs geographically (i.e. dialects and regional varieties in France and in the French-speaking world), socially (i.e. how social groups such as socioeconomic class or sex are reflected in language use), and situationally (i.e. language modification depending on formality, context, etc.). Will include comparisons of spoken versus written French, slang, and le français populaire, as well as current issues, e.g., les néologismes (word creation), les anglicismes (English influence) and feminization of language. Taught in French. Prerequisite: FREN 301. LEC.

This course provides an introduction to the structure of modern French and the various subfields of French linguistics. Topics will include major aspects of phonetics/phonology (the sounds/sound system), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), semantics, pragmatics (language use) and sociolinguistic variation (social, stylistic, geographical), as well as language attitudes and policies in France and other Francophone regions. Students will be introduced to different theoretical approaches to the study of French linguistics and will work on linguistic analyses of first- and second-language data. Taught in French and no prior study of linguistics is necessary to take this course. Prerequisite: FREN 301. LEC.

Study the themes of borders, migrations, and search for individual and collective identity and voice which define modern French and French-speaking cultures in continental France and around the globe. Authors, cultural movements and themes of the period, with an emphasis on twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. Introduce the student to the principal elements of the cultural, intellectual and artistic climate of the time, including literature, film, and other cultural documents and artefacts, print and electronic, visual and aural. May be taught in French or English. Prerequisite: FREN 301, FREN 302, and FREN 326. LEC.

Study of the key works in different media in French dealing with the theme and traces the development of science-fiction and fantasy from its beginnings to the present day. Prerequisite: FREN 326. LEC.

May be taken more than once, total credit not to exceed fifteen hours. Fields not covered by course work, and/or field of student's special interest. Conferences. Counts as humanities when taken for two or three hours. Prerequisite: Twenty-five hours of French and consent of instructor. IND.

Various topics in French or Francophone literature, language, culture, or film. May be repeated for credit, total credit not to exceed six hours. Six hours of FREN 499 required for B.A. with Honors in French. Before enrolling, the student must obtain the approval of the faculty member who will direct the Honors project. IND.

Small discussion groups, each designed to consider a specific, clearly defined topic, using an interdisciplinary approach and requiring the demonstration of a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals in the field as appropriate to the topic. Class discussion based on student presentation. A final comprehensive project required. All discussion and coursework will be in French. Prerequisite: Senior majors; special department permission for other students. SEM.

A survey of the major public images of French culture as surveyed in French silent and sound film from the early 1900s through World War II and its immediate aftermath. Students will view and discuss a selection of films that address crucial aspects of French culture such as (but not limited to) gender, war and peace, daily life, art and artists, tradition and revolution, city life versus country life, social classes, moral choice, and individual freedoms. The course will include discussion of the cultural and artistic significance of major French film movements like Poetic Realism. In addition to viewing and discussing films, students will read and analyze the writings of a number of French intellectuals, writers, and artists who have had a major influence on French culture as it appears in films from 1900-1950. May be taught in French or English. For students who already have some knowledge of French culture. LEC.

A survey of the major public images of French culture as surveyed in French silent and sound film from 1950 to present. Students will view and discuss a selection of films that address crucial aspects of French culture such as (but not limited to) gender, war and peace, daily life, art and artists, tradition and revolution, city life versus country life, colonialism and post-colonialism, social classes, moral choice, and individual freedoms. The course will include discussion of the cultural and artistic significance of major French film movements like the New Wave. In addition to viewing and discussing films, students will read and analyze the writings of a number of French intellectuals, writers, and artists who have had a major influence on French culture as it appears in films from 1950-present. May be taught in French or English. For students who already have some knowledge of French culture. LEC.

A summer course designed principally for secondary school language teachers. Discussion of current theory in language acquisition integrated into an intensive oral review of French. Meets three hours daily for two weeks; includes lab. (Not applicable toward a major or graduate degree in French.) LEC.

A summer course designed principally for secondary school language teachers. Provides an orientation to proficiency-based models in foreign language instruction, national standards in the rating of foreign language proficiency, and curriculum development sessions which address issues of articulation in foreign language curricula. (Not applicable toward a major or graduate degree in German.) (Same as SPAN 681.) LEC.